Ortega Plans New Run For Council
Tulare - Mayor Richard Ortega says he will run again for a seat on the city council this November. “I’ll do it one more time,” says Ortega who will be running for the second time after being appointed to fulfill Reatha Rutherford’s term in 2001. “There are still lots of great projects we are all working on that I would like to see to completion.”
There are two seats up for grabs this November for a four year term. David Macedo is mulling another run for the second seat.
The news comes as the filing period for the election opened this week. Both Macedo and Ortega ran unopposed last year.
Ortega says his experience on various city boards and commissions as well as his council experience helps out at times when there is a new city manager on board and several council members are relatively new.
Tops on Ortega’s list has been his vision for downtown that includes acquiring the Union Pacific corridor land along J Street for community development. “We’ve pretty well agreed with railroad on four parcels now,” says Ortega – that will lead to several new retail projects including a new complex to be built by Monterey developer Don Orosco. Another key piece the city wants to acquire is south of Inyo with plans by L.A. area developer Paul Quong to build a retail center on. Quong developed the new Lowe’s center under construction on Prosperity. In addition, Ortega wants a new plan along Pine St. where he envisions more residential use rather than allow major retail use that would hurt downtown.
Ortega has been a big booster of new industry and Tulare retail expansion in the past few years. In addition, he put his energy where his mouth is volunteering every weekend with Habitat for Humanity, building houses for low income people in Tulare. Those that benefit from the program must put in “sweat equity” of 500 hours to be eligible for the homes.
Ortega is a big proponent of the countywide half cent sales tax measure and he points out that it will help rebuild the Cartmill interchange in Tulare. He is looking for adoption of Tulare General Plan update after this year. A key element is to add hundreds of new acres for industry.
Ortega, a retired dairyman, is a graduate of UC Davis. He is married to JoAnn and has four children.
Overdue Library Funding
By Robin Kaufman
Tulare - Had voters passed Proposition 81 on the June ballot, Tulare would have seen a new city library opening by fall of 2009, a full decade after the initial inception of such a project.
The legislation enacted under Proposition 81 would have required local governments to provide matching funds for 35 percent of the cost of the project, estimated to total $10.9 million in 2003.
The California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction Renovation Bond Act of 2006 was to pick up where the Proposition 14 Library Bond Act of 2000 left off.
But the Tulare library project, submitted twice to the California Public Library Construction Renovation and Finance Committee for Proposition 14 funds, has now been turned down twice making it one of 60 statewide library projects not funded.
Tulare was to be given first priority had voters passed the June bond.
Statewide, the initiative failed with a no vote of 53 percent. In Tulare County, the proposition was voted down by 61 percent of the voters.
Of the 4,241 voters in the city of Tulare who turned out for the June election, 50 percent voted no and 44 percent voted yes on Proposition 81.
That means 6 percent of Tulare citizens who voted in the primary election did not make a choice on Proposition 81.
“It was a bit of a shock to me that it was defeated in the city of Tulare,” said Tulare City Councilman Craig Vejvoda.
According to Vejvoda, the council members have collectively considered using some “good works” money to get the library construction started.
There is also talk of a community survey to see what the citizens of Tulare want to do about the situation. “I really think we need to put our finger on the pulse of Tulare,” said Vejvoda.
“We have an intellectual gap of what people think a library should be,” said Vice Mayor Phil Vandegrift, who also expressed interest in putting a survey to the citizens of Tulare.
“What if we could pay for it? That should be one of the questions,” said Vandegrift.
The Tulare Redevelopment Agency purchased the land for the proposed site of the new library at a cost of about $1.3 million and Vandegrift has been considering the investment the city has already put into the project.
After the bond failed, Vandegrift said, “I called the city manager and said, 'We won!'”
Vandegrift sees the defeat of the state bond as an opportunity that frees the city from the constraints of state requirements.
“We're allowed to use our imagination,” said Vandegrift.
The leasing of four floors of residential space above the library to a private developer is a possibility Vandegrift envisions.
“What better lobby would you have than a library?” said Vandegrift.
The leased residential space could generate revenue to the city and the library could be financed with tax increment money through the Tulare Redevelopment Agency (TRA) to leverage bonds or certificates of participation, according to Vandegrift.
“Those are kinds of things you can do without state or federal strings attached,” said Vandegrift.
The city is currently in the process of reorganizing the finances of the TRA in order to create seed money for projects and to finance long-term investments.
“This going to be so fun when we figure it out,” said Vandegrift. “We can set the tone for a quality of life this town has only dreamt of.”
To Councilman David Macedo, the quality of life in Tulare begins with two of his priorities while on the council: maintenance of streets and building the city's infrastructure.
When it comes to the new Tulare library, “I've voted no all along,” said Macedo. “It's not because I'm against libraries.”
Macedo, whose term of office expires at the end of this year, described his remaining time on the council as “short lived” though supporters have expressed interest in him running again in the next election.
“I don't think I'll be supporting a plan for a library anytime soon,” said Macedo.
By Kim Clemons
Tulare - A new era started two weeks ago when Milt Stowe became the new director for the City of Tulare's Recreation, Parks and Library Department. Stowe takes over for Bill Wagenhalls, who retired.
Having worked for 25 years for the city of Porterville in the parks and leisure department, Stowe, 53, comes to Tulare with a wealth of experience.
“The first 21 years I was the leisure supervisor and for the last four years I was the chief of parks and leisure,” said Stowe.
While Stowe enjoyed his work in Porterville, he had always wanted the opportunity to be a director. But not just for any city. He actually turned down offers to become a director for other cities.
“Tulare is similar to where I've been [Porterville],” said Stowe.
“Over the years I've become close friends with Bill [Wagenhalls],” said Stowe. “He was a great asset to me while I was in Porterville.”
Stowe believes that Wagenhalls has done a great job and wanted the opportunity to continue having an impressive department.
Another factor in Stowe's decision to apply for the position was the fact that he had already worked with Tulare City Manager Darrel Pyle.
“I was a huge fan of Darrel's when we worked together in Porterville,” said Stowe. “He is always so creative, positive and supportive.”
Pyle shares similar sentiments regarding Stowe. “Milt [Stowe] is rock solid and truly dedicated to the cause,” he said.
“He is an asset and the people of Tulare won't see any change in the level of focus and leadership,” Pyle said about Stowe taking over the department.
“Everyone [in the city] is very cooperative. They want to work together,” he added. “They have the same goal and are on the same page with each other.”
The number of new parks being built in Tulare has impressed Stowe. “Besides the soccer complex, Porterville has not built a new park since the 1980s, with Veterans Park.”
Stowe was amazed with the size of the landscape and maintenance department. “It has doubled with the development of the new parks,” he said. “It is twice, if not three times the size of what we had in Porterville.”
Part of Stowe's duties is to oversee the airport. In his earlier years at Porterville, Stowe was responsible for the Porterville airport, but the airport was eventually separated from the department.
Stowe admits that the airport will be a challenge, but one he is ready for. “Bill has things already going on there,” said Stowe. “I want to continue what he's been doing.”
While Stowe sees amazing things happening with the parks, he would like to begin offering more programming and specialized activities. “Right now we are developing a list of what programs and activities are going on,” he said.
One program that Stowe may consider doing, which was something that he did in Porterville, is offer a class for parents on officiating. “The class was very beneficial in letting parents know why officials make certain calls and what those calls mean,” he said.
Officiating is one thing Stowe knows a lot about. He has been officiating basketball since 1974 and began covering NCAA games in 1984. “I've officiated for the Big West, PAC 10, Mountain West, WAC and the West Coast Conference,” said Stowe.
When Stowe accepted the position he was going to hang up the whistle, but decided instead to curtail the amount of games he would officiate. “I will work strictly on weekends,” said Stowe. “Various members of the city encouraged me to continue.”
Stowe hopes that he can be a role model for young African-Americans. “I want to be a positive example for them,” he said.
Stowe's wife Lorry has two daughters, one son and a grandson. The Stowes have plans to relocate to Tulare. “I have to live in the community that I work in,” said Stowe.
As for what's on the horizon, Stowe mentioned winter sports are coming up. Also there are many activities for youth and seniors currently going on. On Aug. 20, the seniors will be taking a trip up to San Francisco's AT&T Park, to see the Giants play the Dodgers.
“It is fascinating to me, you can feel the energy here,” said Stowe.
Skate Park Plans Rolling Along
Tulare - The second design workshop for Tulare's skate park was a success according to Milt Stowe, director of recreation, parks and library for the city of Tulare.
“The meeting was very well attended,” said Stowe. “It was a great session.”
Unlike the first work session, last week's workshop had more than 40 youth giving their input and ideas to skate park designer Wally Hollyday.
“Right now the design has everything,” said Stowe, naming skating bowls and various jump apparatuses like stairs and rails for the skaters to use.
The park, estimated to cost $1.3 million, will be built in the 1.8-acre Alice Topham Park and is expected to include 24,000 square feet of concrete.
“There will be grassy areas in the middle, with the palm trees to shade the kids as they rest and hang out in between skates,” said Stowe.
According to Stowe, the final plans for the skate park will hopefully be completed by the end of November of this year and groundbreaking is expected to take place by the end of January or first part of February 2007. At this point, Stowe has not been given a construction timeline, so he is unsure when the project might be completed.
After traveling up and down the state looking at the various skate parks, Stowe says this design competes with those that he has seen.
“Our park will be right up there with the rest,” said Stowe.
As for the on-going fundraising efforts, Stowe is very positive. “It is going well. We are still accepting donations,” he said. “The more money that comes in, the nicer the park will be.”
Even though Stowe's predecessor, Bill Wagenhalls has officially retired. Wagenhalls continues to take a personal interest in seeing the skate park come to fruition.
The third and final design skate park workshop is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Meitzheimer's Tulare Room.
Target On Tap for Tulare
Shopping Center Gets Conditional Use Permit OK
Tulare - An 18-acre shopping center on Tulare’s northern edge is getting the green light from the planning commission this week. City planner Bonnie Simoes says the application by Bay Area-based Browman Development was approved by the commission Monday night that allows development of a 233,630-square-foot shopping center on the southwest corner of Mooney Blvd. and Prosperity Ave. The center would be anchored by a Target store according to the developer.
Browman brought a similar proposal to the city last year for a Target store, but after city approvals, Target decided not to move forward at the site next to the outlet mall. Asked by Tulare Planning Commissioner Chuck Miguel if Target was convinced this site was right for them, Darryl Browman, referring to the fact that Target didn’t approve the site last year, says that when the corporate people came to see the proposed location on Retherford, they did not like the site. Instead, Browman indicated Target sees its future on Prosperity to be near the other big-box retailers.
Mayor Richard Ortega comments that “I’ve always said that Tulare’s Mooney Blvd. will be Prosperity” anyway. Indeed, Prosperity is where the new Home Depot and Lowes center are, along with the existing Wal-Mart center.
City planner Bonnie Simoes says the applicant has an “expedited schedule” to build the proposed Target and the rest of the center scheduled to open October 2007. “I believe their architect is already in contact with our building department,” says Simoes.
Real estate sources expect Target to land this “second time around” – a major catch for the city looking to stem the tide of retail sales. Many Tulare residents head to Visalia to shop at this very popular store. The developer has a strong relationship with Target in other California localities.
The city staff report says that the developer is “soliciting Target” to be the Major 1 tenant (see map), but may well occupy an adjacent Major 2 space with the addition of more groceries. The company seeks an off sale beer and wine license and permission to operate 24 hours a day. The staff report suggests the developer bring the request for 24 operation to the planning commission at a later time.
Sources say the developer has aligned the center to face Prosperity rather than Mooney to take advantage of parking and not give Target a Mooney address like it does in Visalia.
Some minor modifications to the plan were approved including no public access from the subdivision behind the proposed project except for a gate that would allow the gardener to enter. Browman will return to the planning commission with some more modifications likely to be approved as a consent item within a month, says Simoes. The vote of the planning commission was 5 to 0 to approve the project.
In other planning commission news, the commission also approved the city’s first major townhouse development that will give the community a new housing alternative for the first time. Earlier this year the council approved a plan to allow the denser housing stock that can provide an affordable opportunity for housing buyers. The 62 townhouses will be located on the Bardsley Square subdivision on Gobel Court east of Laspina and south of Bardsley Ave.
The above stories are the property of The Valley Voice Newspaper and may not be reprinted without explicit permission in writing from the publisher.
July 19, 2006
